Saturday, February 28, 2009

Congratulations to Paul (top) who flew his first solo today. Paul from Kyabram has been having flying lessons with Eddie over the past two months. Proud Dad Neil, was all smiles. Welcome to Hiroko (above with Bob) who is here for a few days. Both Bob and Hiroko enjoyed short flights with a strong inversion.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Strong winds combined with strong inversion - maximum climbs to 3000 feet. Dave and Takeshi both braved the difficult conditions with short flights. Tonight we farewell Takeshi with dinner at the Golf Club. Breaking news this afternoon from Ross & Glenda - Congratulations to son Cam who has just become engaged to the lovely Pan. Fantastic!!!

Monday, February 23, 2009

A great pre-frontal day but unfortunately the high cloud from the front progressed more rapidly than forecast. This left Takeshi sitting in a wonderful field larger than Narita airport! Welcome to David from Canberra who enjoyed some local flying in KYO today while his Mosquito, KV is having a Form 2 inspection done. Farewell to Johannes & Jutta (above with Eddie, Takeshi and David) who are heading back to Melbourne today.

On Saturday evening Johannes, Joachim, Hans, Takeshi, Eddie & Cheryl all celebrated Jutta's birthday at the Golf Club with champagne and a lovely meal. Yesterday Chris (top) flew to Berrigan East, then Benalla and home to Toc with 7,500 cloud base at the trough line and 4 metre climbs. Dave (top with Chris, Jake & Johannes) had a couple of short flights while Takeshi made an excellent choice of paddock for outlanding. Ben called in for some aerotow training with Eddie (in between his assistance with the aerobatic competition held at the airport over the weekend). Bill and Eddie (above) were all smiles enjoying a cuppa between tows.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Last evening (top) the 'weisshurst' on the BBQ was delicious and enjoyed by everyone. Early this morning Paul (above) continued his RAA training with Eddie in the EuroFox. This afternoon Joachim, Hans and Takeshi all had short flights in smoky conditions. Grant made the most of the smoky thermals spending 4 hours in ZR. Great to see Ray who is getting ready for some flying in the 'Boomerang'. Farewell to Joachim and Hans who leave tomorrow for Germany.

Friday, February 20, 2009

A trough moving through - skies not clearing until 1600hrs. Takeshi (above) seized the opportunity to head off to Grong-Grong with Eddie in the EuroFox. This evening we are all looking forward to 'weisswurst' on the BBQ compliments of Johannes and Jutta.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Another fantastic day with climbs above 10,000 feet. Great to see Johannes and Jutta (top) who are in Tocumwal for a week trying out their new Winnebago. Joachim, Takeshi & Hans (top with Eddie, Jutta & Johannes) had great flights. Dave (above) found it so difficult to come down he had to try and centre the sink

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Welcome back Takeshi (top) who arrived last evening from Japan. Takeshi hopes to achieve some milestones with good soaring over the next week or so. Lovely to see Dan, Steffi and Maurice (middle) who called in this afternoon. Steffi couldn't resist a flight with Eddie in the Blanik (above) before heading home to Germany on Monday. Joachim (above) and Hans have continued to enjoy their gliding with good conditions prevailing.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Great to see Rod (above) who called in for a days flying. Rod enjoyed soaring in the Pik 20-D then headed off in the EuroFox with Eddie to Yarrawonga. Joachim, Hans, Dave and Bob also had good flights with cloud base of 8000 feet. Lovely to have a chat with Daan and Crystal from Corrowa who dropped by this afternoon. Paul has continued his RAA training in the EuroFox. Ritzy sends her best wishes to everyone and hopes to spend some time with us later in the year.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Joachim, Hans (above) and David completed check flights as visibility improved. Cloud base 6,700 feet. Temp at 1500hrs 26.2 degrees. Yesterday visibility varied between 2 and 12kms. Tocumwal is 200kms North of the main bushfire area so the winds bought the smoke our way. Fortunately, rain has fallen on some areas helping the fire-fighters. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragedy.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Lovely to catch up with Kate (top) who called in this morning for a cuppa. Kate has been visiting Mum, Jill for a few days. Great to see David and Richard (above) who called in for check flights. Unfortunately, the smoky conditions have reduced visibility to 2kms so no flying today. A big welcome to Joachim and Hans who arrived this afternoon. Temperature at 1500hrs a mild 22 degrees.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Welcome to Frank (middle) who arrived yesterday and farewell to Matthias. Matthias and his wife Ophelia hope to be back in the near future. Temp. today at 1500hrs was a searing 46 degrees and rising. Juerg flew 680 kms while Terry completed 500 kms in sub-optimal conditions. Lothar had a few short flights and Frank chose a good paddock to outland near Jerilderie.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Fantastic effort from Terry (above) who flew to Kari's Ninghan and then home today. Terry arrived back at Toc just before last light completing 988kms in PC. Bob and Matthias both enjoyed their flights this afternoon in HD and KYO respectively. Temp at 1500hrs 41.5 degrees.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Farewell to Hai (top) leaving for China today. Hai hopes to be back in October to continue his training with Eddie in the EuroFox. Yesterday Mads (middle) had eyes only for his instructor while Kelly (bottom) just loved her flight in the calm conditions of early evening. It wasn't all EuroFox though as Matthias enjoyed a short flight in KYO and both he and Mads hit the skies again this afternoon with good conditions prevailing. Temp at 1500hrs 37 degrees.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Great to see Jamie who enjoyed a few hours flying in IIE this afternoon while Juerg took the opportunity to take a friend soaring in the Blanik. Dave and Matthias starting mid afternoon had a good time in HDK and KYO respectively. Hai continued his training with Eddie in the EuroFox. Last evening Dave (above) had a very appreciative audience in Eddie, Mads and Juerg who all enjoyed Dave's superb piano playing. Temp. at 1500hrs 42 degrees. Yesterday the max was 44.2 degrees - a record!!